Celebration Shortbread Bars

Celebration Shortbread Bars make shortbread taste like Christmas Cake.  Christmas cake is good, but sometimes left behind.  These bars will be the hit of your baking and easy to make.  Watch the video for quick preview.

For years I was afraid to make shortbread, but once I discovered a food processor and using plastic wrap to spread it in a pan it became a favourite for me.  I love to use it as a base for many recipes.  This particular combination of ingredients comes from my mother-in-law’s recipe cards.  It may be one that was shared during the 50’s.  At that time women relied on the big flour companies to supply some recipes.

My mother-in-law Erika loved to bake.  When I first met my husband, I loved going to her place at Christmas because she introduced me to some new tastes and flavours.  She also make the best Brandy Alexanders.  Now that is dating myself.  Erika loved the holiday season and today she suffers from Alzheimer’s and is in a nursing home.  We plan to visit soon and enjoy a lot of Christmas cheer.  She doesn’t talk much anymore, but we share stories with her and we do get the occasional smile.  This recipe is dedicated to her years of kindness, dedication and love for her family.  Thanks mom, we love all your little recipe cards.

Another good holiday square from my site: https://recipesatmytable.com/cinnamon-magic-squares-ciao-bella/

The ingredients for the crust are easy.

The toppings are sweet and crunchy.

Out of the oven and ready to cut once it cools.

Quick and easy video to follow.

[videopress 7Xk8Qg8j]

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Celebration Shortbread Bars

Celebration Shortbread Bars makes shortbread taste like fruit cake.  

Course Dessert

Cuisine Home Cooking in Canada, Italian

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Author Renata Solski

Ingredients

the Crust

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup butter cubed
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• pinch salt

The topping

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 11/2 cups flaked coconut
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 11/2 cups candied fruit

Instructions

The crust

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a food processor.

   Add cold butter. 

   Pulse until it looks crumbly.  

   Place in a 9 X 13  cake pan.

   Cook at 350 for 15 minutes.

   Remove from oven.

The topping

1. After 15 minutes remove the crust from the oven.

   Combine the coconut, walnuts and candied fruit. 

   Spread evenly over crust.

   Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over everything.

   Return to the oven for 30 minutes.

   Remove and let cool before cutting.